mower deck sets low,,,

[John99 0]

Hello

My Wheel Horse is a 1972 Rader Eight

Model 1 0330 7

S/N 833449

 

I have owned and used this tractor since 1980. My dad bough it new in 1972. I use it for grass cutting, I have rebuilt the mower deck several times, rebuilt the Kohler K181S about four years ago. I have just joined this forum and this is my first question.

My question is about mower deck height.

With the mower deck set to cut at maximum height, it still cuts the grass a lot lower than what I want. Using the left side handle that raises the deck to the parked position the grass is cut at barely three inches in length.

The deck is not cracked. I have air in the tires. 

I have always felt that the deck cut a little low, but now it seems to be cutting lower.

Is there a 'free mower deck' height adjustment? 

I will figure out how to post photos and show the linkage set up.

Ideas appreciated.

Thanks 

John99

[John99 0]

[John99 0]

photos, deck hanging low; this is with the height adjuster set at maximum height and the deck out of the raised position for cutting.

It seems that the front edge of the deck is angled down. When I pull the handle back to raise the deck to the parked position it pulls the front of the deck up.

 

[8ntruck 8,880]

What is the model number on the deck?

 

The lift linkage appears to be very different than what is on my rear discharge deck.  Seems like some of the lift linkage might be missing.

[mrc 1,078]

[clueless 3,403]

Your deck was designed to cut up to 3 inch possibly 3.5 inch's. You can mess with it all you want your still not going to get it to cut much higher and get a quality cut.   

[pfrederi 20,582]

I have gotten up to 3.5 inches with good quality using 7" deck wheel.  Yo have to make sure you relevel the deck fore and aft.  Then lower the front by making one turn on the adjuster.

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 12,242]

Guessing at the deck model number here is an operator manual. May help.

Click on the picture in the link

 

[Handy Don 16,630]

3 hours ago, pfrederi said:

I have gotten up to 3.5 inches with good quality using 7" deck wheel.  Yo have to make sure you relevel the deck fore and aft.  Then lower the front by making one turn on the adjuster.

The geometry of the deck support that can handle lifting yet keep the blades very slightly pitched down at the front over a range of cutting heights is pretty baked in. Mess with one variable and it can throw something else off. 

[pfrederi 20,582]

2 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

The geometry of the deck support that can handle lifting yet keep the blades very slightly pitched down at the front over a range of cutting heights is pretty baked in. Mess with one variable and it can throw something else off. 

I have done it on two 48 SD decks.  Not tried an old style 36 RD

[Handy Don 16,630]

1 hour ago, pfrederi said:

I have done it on two 48 SD decks.  Not tried an old style 36 RD

Certainly doable, but with attention to the full set of variables.